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ams AG
The technical content of this TAOS datasheet is still valid.

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TSL257
HIGH-SENSITIVITY
LIGHT-TO-VOLTAGE CONVERTER

r
r

TAOS023E SEPTEMBER 2007

D Converts Light Intensity to Output Voltage

D Monolithic Silicon IC Containing

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id

D
D

1
GND

2
VDD

lv

D
D
D

Photodiode, Operational Amplifier, and

Feedback Components
High Sensitivity
Single Voltage Supply Operation (2.7 V to
5.5 V)
Low Noise (200 Vrms Typ to 1 kHz)
Rail-to-Rail Output
High Power-Supply Rejection (35 dB at
1 kHz)
Compact 3-Leaded Plastic Package
RoHS Compliant (LF Package Only)

PACKAGE SM
SURFACE MOUNT
SIDELOOKER
(FRONT VIEW)

3
OUT

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D
D

PACKAGE S
SIDELOOKER
(FRONT VIEW)

1
GND

Description

2
VDD

3
OUT

The TSL257 is a high-sensitivity low-noise light-to-voltage optical converter that combines a photodiode and
a transimpedance amplifier on a single monolithic CMOS integrated circuit. Output voltage is directly
proportional to light intensity (irradiance) on the photodiode. The TSL257 has a transimpedance gain of 320 M.
The device has improved offset voltage stability and low power consumption and is supplied in a 3-lead clear
plastic sidelooker package with an integral lens. When supplied in the lead (Pb) free package, the device is
RoHS compliant.

Functional Block Diagram

Voltage
Output

Available Options
TA

PACKAGE LEADS

PACKAGE DESIGNATOR

ni

DEVICE

ca

ORDERING NUMBER

0C to 70C

3-lead Sidelooker

TSL257

TSL257

0C to 70C

3-lead Sidelooker Lead (Pb) Free

TSL257LF

TSL257

0C to 70C

3-lead Surface-Mount Sidelooker Lead (Pb) Free

ch

TSL257

SM

TSL257SMLF

Terminal Functions

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TERMINAL

NAME

DESCRIPTION

NO.

GND

Ground (substrate). All voltages are referenced to GND.

OUT

Output voltage

VDD

Supply voltage

The LUMENOLOGY r Company

Copyright E 2007, TAOS Inc.

Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions Inc.

1001 Klein Road S Suite 300 S Plano, TX 75074 S (972)
r 673-0759
www.taosinc.com

TSL257
HIGH-SENSITIVITY
LIGHT-TO-VOLTAGE CONVERTER
TAOS023E SEPTEMBER 2007

Absolute Maximum Ratings over operating free-air temperature range (unless otherwise noted)

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Supply voltage, VDD (see Note 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 V

Output current, IO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 mA
Duration of short-circuit current at (or below) 25C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 s
Operating free-air temperature range, TA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25C to 85C
Storage temperature range, Tstg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25C to 85C
Lead temperature 1,6 mm (1/16 inch) from case for 10 seconds (S Package) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260C
Reflow solder, in accordance with J-STD-020C or J-STD-020D (SM Package) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260C

Stresses beyond those listed under absolute maximum ratings may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and
functional operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated under recommended operating conditions is not
implied. Exposure to absolute-maximum-rated conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.
NOTE 1: All voltages are with respect to GND.

MIN

MAX

2.7

5.5

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Supply voltage, VDD

lv

Recommended Operating Conditions

Operating free-air temperature, TA

UNIT
V

70

Electrical Characteristics at VDD = 5 V, TA = 25C, p = 470 nm, RL = 10 k (unless otherwise noted)

(see Notes 2 and 3)
PARAMETER
VD

Dark voltage

TEST CONDITIONS

MIN

Ee = 0

VOM

Maximum output voltage swing

VO

Output voltage

VD

Temperature coefficient of dark voltage (VD)

VDD = 4.5 V,

No Load

VDD = 4.5 V,

RL = 10 k

Irradiance responsivity

PSRR

Power supply
pp y rejection
j
ratio

IDD

Supply current

MAX

15

4.49

Ee = 1.54 W/cm2, p = 470 nm, Note 5

Ne

TYP

1.6

4.2

TA = 0C to 70C

15

p = 428 nm, see Notes 4 and 8

1.18

p = 470 nm, see Notes 5 and 8

1.30

p = 565 nm, see Notes 6 and 8

1.58

p = 645 nm, see Notes 7 and 8

1.68

fac = 100 Hz, see Note 9

2.4

ca

35

Ee = 1.54 W/cm2, p = 470 nm, Note 5

1.9

mV
V
V
V/C

V/( W/cm2)
V/(W/cm

55

fac = 1 kHz, see Note 9

UNIT

3.5

dB
dB
mA

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ni

NOTES: 2. Measured with RL = 10 k between output and ground.

3. Optical measurements are made using small-angle incident radiation from a light-emitting diode (LED) optical source.
4. The input irradiance is supplied by a GaN/SiC light-emitting diode with the following characteristics: peak wavelength p = 428 nm,
spectral halfwidth = 65 nm.
5. The input irradiance is supplied by an InGaN light-emitting diode with the following characteristics: peak wavelength p = 470 nm,
spectral halfwidth = 35 nm.
6. The input irradiance is supplied by a GaP light-emitting diode with the following characteristics: peak wavelength p = 565 nm,
spectral halfwidth = 28 nm.
7. The input irradiance is supplied by an AlGaAs light-emitting diode with the following characteristics: peak wavelength p = 645 nm,
spectral halfwidth = 25 nm.
8. Irradiance responsivity is characterized over the range VO = 0.1 V to 4.5 V. The best-fit straight line of Output Voltage VO versus
Irradiance Ee over this range will typically have a positive extrapolated VO value for Ee = 0.
9. Power supply rejection ratio PSRR is defined as 20 log (VDD(f)/VO(f)) with VDD(f = 0) = 5 V and VO(f = 0) = 2 V.

Copyright E 2007, TAOS Inc.

The LUMENOLOGY r Company

www.taosinc.com

TSL257
HIGH-SENSITIVITY
LIGHT-TO-VOLTAGE CONVERTER
TAOS023E SEPTEMBER 2007

Switching Characteristics at VDD = 5 V, TA = 25C, p = 470 nm, RL = 10 k (unless otherwise noted)

PARAMETER

TEST CONDITIONS

MIN

TYP

MAX

UNIT

tr

Output pulse rise time, 10% to 90% of final value

See Note 10 and Figure 1

160

250

tf

Output pulse fall time, 10% to 90% of final value

See Note 10 and Figure 1

150

250

ts

Output settling time to 1% of final value

See Note 10 and Figure 1

330

Integrated noise voltage

f = dc to 1 kHz

Ee = 0

200

Vrms

f = 10 Hz

Ee = 0

f = 100 Hz

Ee = 0

f = 1 kHz

Ee = 0

Output
p noise voltage,
g , rms

V/Hz

/
rms

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Vn

lv

NOTE 10: Switching characteristics apply over the range VO = 0.1 V to 4.5 V.

PARAMETER MEASUREMENT INFORMATION

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VDD

Pulse
Generator

Ee

LED
(see Note A)

Input

90%

RL

TSL257

tf

tr

Output

Output
(see Note B)

10%

90%
10%

VOLTAGE WAVEFORM

TEST CIRCUIT

NOTES: A. The input irradiance is supplied by a pulsed InGaN light-emitting diode with the following characteristics: p = 470 nm,
tr < 1 s, tf < 1 s.
B. The output waveform is monitored on an oscilloscope with the following characteristics: tr < 100 ns, Zi 1 M, Ci 20 pF.

Te

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Figure 1. Switching Times

The LUMENOLOGY r Company

Copyright E 2007, TAOS Inc.

www.taosinc.com

TSL257
HIGH-SENSITIVITY
LIGHT-TO-VOLTAGE CONVERTER
TAOS023E SEPTEMBER 2007

TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS
POWER SUPPLY REJECTION RATIO
vs
FREQUENCY

PHOTODIODE SPECTRAL RESPONSIVITY

80

Normalized to
470 nm

1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2

60
50
40
30
20

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Relative Responsivity

70

Power Supply Rejection Ratio dB

1.4

al
id

TA = 25C

lv

1.6

10

0
300

500

700
900
Wavelength nm

1100

102

10

Figure 2

ca

ni

4
3

10

Copyright E 2007, TAOS Inc.

0.6

0.5
0.4
0.3

0.1

20
30
40
50
60
TA Free-Air Temperature C

Te

0.7

0.2

ch

V D Dark Voltage mV

Normalized Response

0.8

NORMALIZED RESPONSE
vs
ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT

0.9

106

1.0

VDD = 5 V

105

Figure 3

DARK VOLTAGE
vs
FREE-AIR TEMPERATURE
10

103
104
f Frequency Hz

70

0
90

70

50

30 10
10
30
50
Angular Displacement 5

Figure 4

70

90

Figure 5

The LUMENOLOGY r Company

www.taosinc.com

TSL257
HIGH-SENSITIVITY
LIGHT-TO-VOLTAGE CONVERTER
TAOS023E SEPTEMBER 2007

APPLICATION INFORMATION
PCB Pad Layout
Suggested PCB pad layout guidelines for the SM surface mount package are shown in Figure 6.
1.0

1.0

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id

1.0

1.0

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1.0

lv

3.2

NOTES: A. All linear dimensions are in millimeters.

B. This drawing is subject to change without notice.

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Figure 6. Suggested SM Package PCB Layout

The LUMENOLOGY r Company

Copyright E 2007, TAOS Inc.

www.taosinc.com

TSL257
HIGH-SENSITIVITY
LIGHT-TO-VOLTAGE CONVERTER
TAOS023E SEPTEMBER 2007

MECHANICAL DATA
The device is supplied in a clear plastic three-lead sidelooker through-hole package (S).
PACKAGE S

PLASTIC SINGLE-IN-LINE SIDE-LOOKER PACKAGE

TOP VIEW

1.64

FRONT VIEW

lv

R 0.90

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2.60

al
id

4.60

SIDE VIEW

2.30

0.15
Note B

1.80

4.60

1.56

0.42

Pb
Lead Free
Available

ch

2y2

ni

ca

14.86 + 0.50

0.47 TYP

0.42

Te

NOTES: A. All linear dimensions are in millimeters; tolerance is 0.25 mm unless otherwise stated.
B. Dimension is to center of lens arc, which is located below the package face.
C. The integrated photodiode active area is round with a typical diameter of 0.75 mm and is typically located in the center of the lens
and 0.97 mm below the top of the lens surface.
D. Index of refraction of clear plastic is 1.55.
E. Lead finish for TSL257: solder dipped, 63% Sn/37% Pb. Lead finish for TSL257LF: solder dipped, 100% Sn.
F. This drawing is subject to change without notice.

Figure 7. Package S Single-In-Line Side-Looker Package Configuration

Copyright E 2007, TAOS Inc.

The LUMENOLOGY r Company

www.taosinc.com

TSL257
HIGH-SENSITIVITY
LIGHT-TO-VOLTAGE CONVERTER
TAOS023E SEPTEMBER 2007

MECHANICAL DATA

PACKAGE SM

PLASTIC SURFACE MOUNT SIDE-LOOKER PACKAGE

TOP VIEW

FRONT VIEW

lv

R 0.90

1.64

am
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nt
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2.60

al
id

4.60

SIDE VIEW

0.15 Note B

2.30

1.80

4.60

0.62 + 0.10

0.62 +0.10
0.15

5.73 + 0.50

Pb

ch

2y2

0.47 TYP

0.42

Lead Free

All linear dimensions are in millimeters; tolerance is 0.25 mm unless otherwise stated.
Dimension is to center of lens arc, which is located below the package face.
The integrated photodiode active area is typically located in the center of the lens and 0.97 mm below the top of the lens surface.
Index of refraction of clear plastic is 1.55.
Lead finish for TSL257SMLF: solder dipped, 100% Sn.
This drawing is subject to change without notice.

Te

NOTES: A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

2.59

0.42

ni

ca

1.00

1.97

Figure 8. Package SM Surface Mount Side-Looker Package Configuration

The LUMENOLOGY r Company

Copyright E 2007, TAOS Inc.

www.taosinc.com

TSL257
HIGH-SENSITIVITY
LIGHT-TO-VOLTAGE CONVERTER
TAOS023E SEPTEMBER 2007

PRODUCTION DATA information in this document is current at publication date. Products conform to
specifications in accordance with the terms of Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions, Inc. standard
warranty. Production processing does not necessarily include testing of all parameters.

LEAD-FREE (Pb-FREE) and GREEN STATEMENT

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Pb-Free (RoHS) TAOS terms Lead-Free or Pb-Free mean semiconductor products that are compatible with the current
RoHS requirements for all 6 substances, including the requirement that lead not exceed 0.1% by weight in homogeneous
materials. Where designed to be soldered at high temperatures, TAOS Pb-Free products are suitable for use in specified
lead-free processes.
Green (RoHS & no Sb/Br) TAOS defines Green to mean Pb-Free (RoHS compatible), and free of Bromine (Br) and
Antimony (Sb) based flame retardants (Br or Sb do not exceed 0.1% by weight in homogeneous material).

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Important Information and Disclaimer The information provided in this statement represents TAOS knowledge and
belief as of the date that it is provided. TAOS bases its knowledge and belief on information provided by third parties,
and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of such information. Efforts are underway to better integrate
information from third parties. TAOS has taken and continues to take reasonable steps to provide representative
and accurate information but may not have conducted destructive testing or chemical analysis on incoming materials and
chemicals. TAOS and TAOS suppliers consider certain information to be proprietary, and thus CAS numbers and other
limited information may not be available for release.

NOTICE

Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions, Inc. (TAOS) reserves the right to make changes to the products contained in this
document to improve performance or for any other purpose, or to discontinue them without notice. Customers are advised
to contact TAOS to obtain the latest product information before placing orders or designing TAOS products into systems.
TAOS assumes no responsibility for the use of any products or circuits described in this document or customer product
design, conveys no license, either expressed or implied, under any patent or other right, and makes no representation that
the circuits are free of patent infringement. TAOS further makes no claim as to the suitability of its products for any particular
purpose, nor does TAOS assume any liability arising out of the use of any product or circuit, and specifically disclaims any
and all liability, including without limitation consequential or incidental damages.

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TEXAS ADVANCED OPTOELECTRONIC SOLUTIONS, INC. PRODUCTS ARE NOT DESIGNED OR INTENDED FOR
USE IN CRITICAL APPLICATIONS IN WHICH THE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE TAOS PRODUCT MAY
RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. USE OF TAOS PRODUCTS IN LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS IS EXPRESSLY
UNAUTHORIZED AND ANY SUCH USE BY A CUSTOMER IS COMPLETELY AT THE CUSTOMERS RISK.

Te

ch

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LUMENOLOGY, TAOS, the TAOS logo, and Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions are registered trademarks of Texas Advanced
Optoelectronic Solutions Incorporated.

Copyright E 2007, TAOS Inc.

The LUMENOLOGY r Company

www.taosinc.com